Passion

De Angelis is a virtual one-woman industry of relationship advice, including books (Real Moments), lectures and seminars, video and audio tapes. In this meager effort, she delivers a brief pep talk, encouraging readers to ""live passionately"" in work, intimate relationships and life in general. In several short essays punctuated by full-page quotes and paraphrases from the text, the author offers enthusiasm but little depth or breadth. The directive to ""open yourself fully to each moment and to each situation,"" for instance, assumes that readers know how to do this and that there are no real problems or obstacles to doing so. Instead of helping readers to find their bliss, De Angelis too often seems to be telling them to simply act blissful. The advice here is too often general and vague, lacking inspiration or insight and ignoring real problems many people must face and resolve in order to discover their passion. De Angelis's topic is simply too large for her little Hallmark card of a book. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections; first serial to Glamour; second serial to Family Circle. (June)